In-Flight
Adjustable Propeller for Sport Aircraft, Airboats and Hovercraft
Over the years as the light aircraft industry has progressed,
and aircraft have become more sophisticated, GSC Systems has recognized that pilots were
looking for alternatives to the standard ground-adjustable propellers.
To meet this challenge, in 1993, GSC developed an in-flight, cockpit-controlled,
mechanically adjustable propeller. The GTA, as it is called, is the result of many years
of engineering and is a reliable, safe and solid performer.
This prop can be used on Rotax 2-stroke
engines fitted with the C or E gear boxes and on the Rotax 4-stroke 80 hp 912UL engine in
applications where a 2-blade prop is adequate to fully load the engine. The GTA prop
can also be used on other engines with belt reduction drives, like the VW engine reduction
drive (PSRU) manufactured by Valley Engineering (USA), if a hole for a 3/8" push rod
is provided through the reduction drive prop flange. Other belt drive manufacturers
may offer this option, such as the makers of Quicksilver and Challenger aircraft.
Minimum diameter is 42 inches and maximum diameter is 70 inches using Warp Drive carbon
fiber blades. Hoverhawk Corporation/WarpDriveProps.com sells this prop with Warp Drive blades. Blade options include
nickel leading edges for water erosion protection and/or tapered tips for higher speed
applications. See prices below.
With Warp Drive blades, with or without nickel leading edge -
9.5 lbs
The GTA propeller is produced and assembled by GSC and all prop
hub components are made under strict quality control. It uses a vernier control cable from
the cockpit which is calibrated to give one degree of pitch change for each revolution of
the control knob. The vernier is linked to a push rod which activates a cam system inside
the GTA hub. The cam then turns the blades for a full 15 degrees of pitch adjustment. The
minimum pitch setting is determined by the application when ordered by the customer. This
gives the propeller the reliability of a totally mechanical system. The GTA does require a
hollow shaft-type gearbox to accommodate the push rod.
The GTA has a safety feature which will always return the
blades to the fine pitch stop if the need should arise. A dual spring action applies
pressure on the cam and hence the blades and fine pitch can be attained quickly by
depressing the center of the vernier control.
Gyroplane
pilots can benefit from this prop because the prop pitch can be flattened prior to takeoff
so more horsepower is available to the pre-rotator. Get higher rotor rpm, shorter
takeoff run and higher cruise speeds with less fuel consumption. |
|
Response on the GTA has been extremely positive.
Pilots are raving about the improved performances they are getting out of their aircraft.
Some pilots claim that cruise speeds increase by an average 15 MPH in their fixed wing
aircraft. Take-off and climb out also are considerably better. Pilots on floats claim that
time to get off water is noticeably decreased.
We
ship worldwide.
|
